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Notes from a Composer
“Speakeasy” Selections
Tag Archives: Queer
The Inspiration for SPEAKEASY’S DUCHESS BENTLEY – The Terrific, Trangressive and Tragic Tale of Gladys Bentley – Part 1
In the musical Speakeasy – John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland, Jane Allison first meets Duchess Bentley, Harlem nightclub singer and unabashed lesbian, when she finds herself outside a door being angrily knocked upon by Minister Fish, who implores … Continue reading
Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles
Tagged 1920s, 1930s, Alice in Wonderland, Bri Molloy, Camille Atkinson, Gay, Gladys Bentley, Great Depression, Harlem, Lewis Carroll, LGBT, musical, Prohibition, Queer, Roaring Twenties, Speakeasy, Tim Connell, Ubangi Club, Wonderland
1 Comment
Speakeasy inspired ART by PETER BONNER
Peter Bonner is a New York based artist originally from Australia. We met as members of the choir singing the Ode to Joy in Carnegie Hall with the World Community Orchestra. He has been reading the libretto and listening to … Continue reading
Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Literary Lyricism, The Speakeasy Chronicles
Tagged 1920s, 1930s, Alice in Wonderland, art, Australia, Carnegie Hall, charcoal sketch, collage, dance, kentile, Lewis Carroll, LGBT, magical realism, musical, Ode to Joy, oil painting, Peter Bonner, Queer, rabbit hole, sexual liberation, sketches, Speakeasy, Theater for the New City, WCO, Wordl Community Orchestra
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SPEAKEASY PRODUCTION PHOTOS #2
“An offbeat, mind-blowing fantasia on identity, taboo romance, and queer culture circa 1930.” Gay City News “The lyrics, melodies, and orchestrations are surprisingly rich and sophisticated.” Gay City News
SPEAKEASY PRODUCTION PHOTOS #1
“One of the most wildly ambitious, inspired theatrical endeavors I’ve seen on an Off Off Broadway stage. Bursting with an excess of ideas and passion” Gay City News “Director Lissa Moira, choreographer J. Alan Hanna, and … Continue reading
Posted in Live! On Stage, The Speakeasy Chronicles
Tagged 1920s, 1930s, Alice in Wonderland, Allie Radice, Anne Bragg, Bevin Bell-Hall, Bri Molloy, Brian Michael Henry, Camille Atkinson, Danny Ashkenasi, Darcy Dunn, Gay, Gay City News, Kayleigh Shuler, Lewis Carroll, LGBT, Lissa Moira, Matias Polar, musical, Prohibition, Queer, Speakeasy, Talkin' Broadway, Theater for the New City, Tim Connell, Wonderland
1 Comment
Gay City News Review for Speakeasy
“An offbeat, mind-blowing fantasia on identity, taboo romance, and queer culture circa 1930.” “One of the most wildly ambitious, inspired theatrical endeavors I’ve seen on an Off Off Broadway stage. Bursting with an excess of ideas and passion.” “The score … Continue reading
Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Live! On Stage, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles
Tagged 1930s, Alice in Wonderland, Allie Radice, Anne Bragg, basketeering, Bri Molloy, browning, Camille Atkinson, Chet Cheshire, Danny Ashkenasi, David Kennelly, dropping pins, Gay, Gay City News, Gladys Bentley, J. Alan Hanna, Jonathan Fox Powers, Julian Eltinge, Kayleigh Shuler, Lewis Carroll, LGBT, Lissa Moira, Matias Polar, musical, Pansy Craze, Peter Welch, Prohibition, Queer, Speakeasy, taboo, Tim Connell, Tweedle Sisters, Vaseline Alley, Wonderland
1 Comment
ANOTHER OPENING OF ANOTHER SHOW!
SPEAKEASY John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland is now in previews! Grand Opening Night Saturday 8pm! Theater for the New City – 155 1st avenue I think Cole Porter had something to say about this: Another Op’nin, Another … Continue reading
Posted in Live! On Stage, Melodies Linger On, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles
Tagged 1920s, 1930s, Alice in Wonderland, Another Op'nin, Another Opening Another Show, Another Show, Cole Porter, Kiss Me Kate, LGBT, musical, Prohibition, Queer, Speakeasy, Theater for the New City, Wonderland
1 Comment
BROADWAY BULLET PODCAST INTERVIEWS DANNY ASHKENASI ABOUT SPEAKEASY
Broadway Bullet’s Michael Gilboe interviewed me back in December for his seventh season of Broadway Bullet podcasts. Episode 703 includes that interview. It begins on the 37 min 24 second mark. Michael Gilboe always provides unedited full length versions … Continue reading
Speakeasy Drag Make-Up Workshop
Last Saturday we held a drag make up workshop, specifically focused on drag make up styles of the 1920’s and 1930’s. Veteran drag artist Terry Lee King and his colleague Cesar Castillo explained the finer points of drag make-up while … Continue reading
SPEAKEASY REHEARSAL SCRAPBOOK 2
Matias Polar and Kayleigh Shuler (John and Jane Allison)
Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Live! On Stage, The Speakeasy Chronicles
Tagged 1920s, 1930s, Alice in Wonderland, Bri Molloy, Camille Atkinson, Gay, Jonathan Fox Powers, Kayleigh Shuler, Lewis Carroll, LGBT, Matias Polar, musical, photos, Queer, rehearsal, Speakeasy, Theater for the New City
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The BROADWAY BLOG spotlights SPEAKEASY
The Broadway Blog has posted an article about Speakeasy. Find it here or read the excerpt below: Opening — ‘Speakeasy: John and Jane’s Adventures in Wonderland’ February 8th, 2016 Matthew Wexler Before there was Hedwig and the Angry Inch, there … Continue reading
Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Literary Lyricism, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles
Tagged 1920s, 1930s, Alice in Wonderland, Broadway Blog, Danny Ashkenasi, Gay, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Lewis Carroll, LGBT, Mathew Wexler, musical, Prohibition, Queer, Speakeasy, Theater for the New City
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Adam Szymkowicz interviews Danny Ashkenasi
So there are two last names with lots of letters and lots of Eastern European heritage… Adam Szymkovicz posted his interview with me yesterday on his site. You can go to it here or read the excerpt below. Those looking … Continue reading
AXS INTERVIEW
The on-line magazine AXS has published an interview with yours truly. The questions delve into the evolution of Speakeasy as well as musical influences in my childhood and advice to aspiring playwrights and composers. The article is excerpted below: Interview … Continue reading
Posted in LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Live! On Stage, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles
Tagged 1920s, 1930s, Alice in Wonderland, Berlin, Danny Ashkenasi, Dolly Sisters, Gene Malin, Gladys Bentley, jack hilton cunningham, Jacqui Sutton, Julian Eltinge, Lewis Carroll, LGBT, musical, Opera, Prohibition, Queer, Speakeasy, Theater for the New City, Wonderland
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FASCINATING VIDEO OF JULIAN ELTINGE IN DRAG (with bonus clip of Gene Malin in drag too!)
One of the musical Speakeasy‘s lead characters, Julian Carnation, is based in part on the real life female impersonator Julian Eltinge (as well as the red Queen and the Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s Alice books). I want to share … Continue reading
Speakeasy Tickets Now on Sale
Tickets for the showcase production of SPEAKEASY – John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland are now on sale. Check out the Theater for the New City Speakeasy webpage here! Check out the Smarttix Speakeasy ticket purchase page here! Plus, … Continue reading
Revealed: SPEAKEASY Poster and Postcard DESIGN!
Voilà, the poster/postcard design for the February/March 2016 showcase run of “Speakeasy – John and Jane’s Adventures in the Wonderland”! Designed by Derk Scholtz in an ever evolving process that I will get into more behind-the-scenes detail below. But first, … Continue reading
Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Live! On Stage, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles
Tagged art work, beTwixt beTween & beTWAIN, Cheshire Cat, Derk Scholtz, design, Dolly Sisters, John Tenniel, Lissa Moira, Mark Twain, musical, Once Upon a Frog, Paul Siebold, postcard, poster, Queer, Speakeasy, Subculture
1 Comment
Speakeasy – An interview conducted by author Rebecca Cantrell – updated
The bestselling Author Rebecca Cantrell has posted an interview with me about Speakeasy on her blog. In it I reveal some tidbits about Speakeasy and a song demo that had not yet found their way to Notes from a Composer. … Continue reading
Posted in Musicabilia, Notes in the News, The Speakeasy Chronicles
Tagged 1920s, 1930s, Alice in Wonderland, Allegiance, Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat, Gay, Gene Malin, George Takei, Gladys Bentley, Humpty Dumpty, Julian Eltinge, kickstarter, musical, Once Upon a Frog, Prohibition, Queer, Rebecca Cantrell, Speakeasy, The Dolly Sisters
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Notes from a Composer 